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Editorial

Increase in food prices: We need more sustainable measures

Some workers at the Ministry buying food stuffs

Some workers at the Ministry buying food stuffs

Dear Editor,

 Permit me to express my thoughts on the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) ‘market’ set up in Accra recently by the Ministry of Food and Agri­culture. The ministry since last week had been selling foodstuff at prices patrons say were relatively cheap­er than those on the open market.

This week, I heard other produce would be available at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park. While some people have lauded the initiative others say food distribution or supply can­not be within the mandate of the agriculture ministry.

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Others suggest that the Ministry’s direct sale of foodstuffs would create the impression that traders on the open market are re­sponsible for the escalating food prices in the country.

Whatever be the argu­ment, tough times call for drastic measures hence the decision by the ministry to go to the hinterlands to cart and supply goods to the general public.

While at it, I am yet to see any clear measures the ministry is putting in place to address the numerous challenges traders face in transporting food to their final destination, the capital Accra and else­where. Transportation cost, according to traders, had been a major determinant in the prices of goods.

Unlike the ministry, that has enough logistics to cart goods from the hinterlands, traders sometimes have to convey goods in transit for many days before arriving at their final destinations.

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Many have said the Min­istry’s approach to address­ing the high cost of food prices in the country is not sustainable and I cannot agree less. Although this may bring some temporary relief, consumers wonder what will happen in the months and years ahead when this pilot arrange­ment is over.

Selling foodstuff at the Ministry without tackling the root causes of the general high cost of food prices in the country only amounts to window-dress­ing the issues. We cannot continue this way, citizens deserve better!

Franklin Kwabena Okyere,

Dodowa

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Editorial

 Fix railway crossing point on Circle-Kaneshie road

 Dear Editor,

After the construction of the Kwame Nkrumah Inter­change (Accra Dubai), Ghanaian were full of belief that it could solve at least a few of the problems drivers and commuters faced.

But currently, any regular user of the area would confirm that things have rather skyrocketed.

Sanitation is a big issue as the area. Traffic congestion has become something else while street lights and traffic lights in the area are nonfunctional.

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Making matters worse is the regular traffic on the stretch of the Circle-Kaneshie caused by the bad nature of the railway crossing.

It is so bad that motorist are forced to slow down to cross from whichever direction they are coming from.

During the rainy season, it becomes worse as vehicles break down in the large pool of water that gathers at the place.

I wish to appeal to the Roads and Highways ministry or whichever agency is responsible for road maintenance to fix that part of the road.

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As a result, public transport operators are forced to di­vert routes to avoid that area and in the process, causing commotion between drivers and passengers.

I feel that problem must be fixed before the rains set in. Thank you for the space.

Awuah Martin,

Kasoa, C/R

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Editorial

 Make celebration of Heritage Month compulsory

 Heritage or Ghana Month is an annual event held in March to commemorate Ghana’s Independence and rich cultural heritage.

The event, which is celebrated across the country is gradually gaining momentum as schools and organisations have been patronis­ing the event with various activ­ities and programmes displaying Ghana’s rich culture.

Recently, in a vibrant display of Ghana’s culture students of Antoa Senior High School in the Ashan­ti Region joined forces with the Centre for National Culture (CNC) to launch the 2025 Ghana Month celebration.

According to our reporter, the event was a mixture of traditional cloth demonstrations, dance les­sons, poetry recitals, and proverbs competitions as students and staff donned colourful tradition­al attires, showcasing their rich cultural heritage with infectious enthusiasm.

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Some organisation like media houses were also not left out in the celebration of Ghana Month with Newscasters dressed in their traditional attires showcasing their culture while reading the news.

Such celebrations should be encouraged as one of the excited students of Antoa SHS exclaimed, “I never knew how rich our Gha­naian culture was until today. I’m proud to be Ghanaian.” This is a testimony of how the celebration will remind students of their roots and instill in them national values.

Ghana has so many cultures which are hidden and its time to make these cultures to project our rich Ghanaian culture to the outside world.

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) should collaborate with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and Ghana Dance Ensemble to make the Ghana Month more visible in schools by organising activities to educate students on Ghanaian cultural values and norms, to promote national pride and identity.

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The Spectator encourages the organisers to extend the cele­bration to more schools. This can be done through debates, essay writing competitions, among oth­ers to share Ghana’s rich heritage. It will help to revive the cultural spirit among the youth to become ambassadors of Ghana’ culture.

GTA must also take advantage of Ghana Month and team up with the hospitality industry such as restaurants, hoteliers, Chop Bar operators, among others to organise a traditional cuisine festival like cooking and eating competitions among organisations and associations to boost tourism in Ghana. Such competitions will give people insight into the prepa­rations of Ghanaian local foods and drinks, and promote healthy living in families. The fashion in­dustry should also come on board to help take Ghana Month a notch higher.

In the words of the Acting Regional Director of the CNC in the Ashanti Region, Mr Peter Kofi Marfo “Let us Wear Ghana, Eat Ghana, See Ghana, Speak Ghana, Hear and Dance Ghana, togeth­er, we’ll keep our cultural flame burning bright.”

The Spectator is hopeful that by making the celebration of Ghana Month compulsory. Ghanaians will remain committed to promoting their rich culture and heritage, for future generations.

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